Hari's Mom passes away

Hari (/76 batch) lost his mom 2 weeks ago.

The family lived off Harris Road in Pudupet, which is famed for the market for automobile spare parts.

A few batch mates and his friends from St. Antony's were present at the funeral.

If you wish to make contact with Hari, call it at 98417-41119.

Catching Up with Rexson

This is a very delayed posting. I just dont know why I delayed it.

The '76 batch had the pleasure of meeting up with Rexson and his wife at a simple dinner at Hotel Asoka in Egmore ( in front of St Antony's) a month ago.

It was a hurried meet but warm and useful. There weren't many present - Ashok, Murali, Vincent and Khaja.

Rexson has settled down for many years now in Bahrain, works at a good hotel ( he has been in this line for decades now) and when he comes to India, has to say hello to a dozen people and has to go to his home town, Kerala.

We didnt get some nice pictures that night with the cellphones but I am asking Rex to mail us one or two he shot well.

In case you need a Bahrain contact here it is.

Rexsons's E-mail ID is - rexson@elitegroup4u.com

Alumni Meet in Jan 09; Photos

Posted late. . . Some of the pics taken at the Alumni Meet held in Jan.09. Wonderful and simple event hosted by the Alumni Assn. Prez Dharmaprakash and his team. The photos show some of the nuns with the Superior Genl (in salwar); C K Valson, once a champ athlete and now a international official in athletics - seen with retired teacher Ms Devotta: Vincent D Souza relives his days at the HM's office: some members of the '76 batch: and 'Charms' Ashok at dinner - with classmate Vimala.

1976 Batch / Thakur's Party Group Photo

Posted late. . . . This photo was taken at Thakur's party at his wonderful house on Nelson Manickam Road, Choolaimedu.

The ladies - Thara, Isabel, Rani, Thomeena, Selvi, Vimala and Reena with Hemanth (sitting)

The men - James, Ravikumar, Jaspal Singh, T J Paul, Khaja, Hemachander, Udaya Shankar, Bhastimal Jain, Hari, Vincent D' Souza, Annamalai, Thakur, Venkataraman, C K Murali and Ashok (Charms).
(If you click on the pic you should see a bigger size!)

1976 batch Rexson visits Chennai in August

Rexson Thomas, 1976 batch, will be in Chennai in early August.

He used to live in Pudupet and is now F and B Manager at a Bahrain Hotel.

C K Murali has been networking with him and Rexson says he got blown when he heard the batch had got together in Chennai and is active. Since then he has been to catch up.

Rexson's dad ran a popular draper-tailor shop in Egmore. Rexson will have a busy tour of India but is sure to park in Chennai for a party.

Here is his E-mail ID - rexson@elitegroup4u.com

May Update

Am posting this on Election Day in Chennai . .May 13

Ashok, Murali and I have been exchanging notes on our plans for the school which is due to reopen in the first week of June.

We are on the lookout for a professional counsellor that the school requires. That is our first priority.

Once the school reopens we hope to have a meeting with the HM and continue our discussions.

We also also want to get a clearer picture of the alumni - its frameworks, rules, regulations, etc. so that the Association works professionally . . . 

The Ross sisters did not make contact. But Rexon who is in the Gulf should be here in July and we should have a party.

We plan a picnic down the ECR in late May. So all batchmates who are in Chennai should make contact with Ashok at Charms to be in the loop.

Meeting with School HM

C K Murali, 'Charms' Ashok, Khaja and Vincent D' Souza had a meeting with Sr. Nirmala, the HM of the school last week. Also present was the head of the Alumni Assn., Dharmaprakash.

The meet was held to understand how the alumni could collaborate with the school in the new academic year. A few promises had been made at the Alumni Meet held in early January his year.

There have been some dramatic changes at St. Antony's the past decades. The strength has fallen, so has the profile of the students. Almost all the children come from the neighbourhood.

The outlook of the parents of the students has also changed keeping with our changing times.

The school would like to entertain any form of support and collaboration from the alumni.

To start with, there is a need for a professional counsellor who can spend time with senior students, engaging them on personal as well as academic issues.

Also, there is a need to engage external professionals in extra curricular activities. And to see how small groups of students who are into art, scouts, Traffic Patrol, etc can have the opportunity to take part in city events and contests and gain from the varied experience.

Though the scope in sport is limited, we may start a camp in table tennis since the TT tables are available.

The school HM is open to collaborations and the Alumni Team is going to mull and plan ahead during May. 

We intend to support only a few projects and make them work. But this means we will also need funds. Honorarium for the counsellor, fee to the TT coach, expenses for extra curricular events. This is where we will bank on the goodwill of the alumni.

We shall post info on this as and when developments take place.